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I fix my stare on her. “That wasn’t a friendly invite. It was a desperate offer.”
She jumps up from the chair and wags her finger in my direction. “Fuck you, Chloe! Fuck you! Expect not to see the kids this weekor ever!”
My blood pressure rises with every second we’re speaking. “Don’t make the children suffer out of spite and deprive them of a life we wanted when we were children.”
Her hand splays across her chest. “Are you saying you’d be a better mother for them?”
I rub my forehead. “I’m not trying to be their mother. I’m trying to give them a better life—whether it’s as their aunt or even their friend. They are my number one priority, and they will always be my number one priority.Period.”
Her lipstick-messy lip curls up as she releases a hard laugh. “God, you’re so desperate for children that you’d even take someone else’s.”
I slam my hand down on my desk and stand. “Now, it’s my turn to say fuck you.” I jerk my finger toward the door. “Leave my office.”
She scrambles back, and regret flashes across her face. It takes her a few moments to plaster on a fake smile. “Sorry, that was wrong of me to say.”
I shake my head and keep my finger pointed. “Save your apology. You meant it. You’ve meant it every time you’ve said it. Shove that apology up your ass.”
She uses both hands to flip me off, dropping one momentarily to open the door, and then puts them back in the position as she walks backward out of my office, and from the sound of Melanie’s laughter, I’m assuming she’s doing the same to her.
I’m still standing when Melanie wanders into my office minutes later.
“You should’ve let me tackle her, babe,” she says before circling around the desk to droop her arm over my shoulders. “You are one strong-as-hell woman, and I’m so fucking proud of you for not letting her walk all over you.” She squeezes my shoulder before stepping back. “If you need help with the kids, I’m here.” Her head tilts to the side. “None of them are in diapers, right?”
“One hundred percent potty-trained.”
“Perfect. If you need help with the kids, you let me know.”
I smile. “Your bad humor is always what I need on stressful days.”
“I’m here all day, folks.” She stops to correct herself. “Or at least until five.”
She scurries away at the sound of the front desk phone ringing, and I snatch up my phone to text Trey. It’s his lunch hour, so hopefully, he has his phone.
Me: I’ll pick you up after school today.
My phone beeps with a response seconds later.
Trey: Mom said to go with Roger.
Me: I’ll deal with your mom and Roger.
They’re always tardy, picking them up from school. If Claudia wants the kids, she’ll come to my house. Today isn’t the first time Claudia has said her life is in danger. Normally, when she says that, I grab my wallet. Even though I don’t one hundred percent believe her, doubt is still in the back of my mind, and I worry about the kids’ safety. Hell, I’malwaysconcerned with their safety.
Let them come to my house.
I’ll be ready for that fight.
* * *
I’m notsurprised when Roger and Claudia show up at my doorstep hours after school let out. Their breath reeks of alcohol, and the dilated pupils and scabs on Roger’s face confirm my suspicions that he’s using more than alcohol for getting high.
“I want my goddamn children,” Claudia screeches as soon as they come in.
I cross my arms. “Tough shit.”
I gulp and stand straight even though my heart is pounding when Roger lunges my way. Him coming closer results in Trey stepping to my side. Claudia scoffs, and a cynical laugh leaves Roger at Trey’s protective gesture.
This isn’t going to end well.
